Example for Nutrition Program
Healthy eating is not about extreme flash dieting, magical diet pills, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of enjoying food as one of lifes adventures!
Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you. Food and what we eat is as much a part of our amazing and diverse cultures as dance and art are! We should learn to love and embrace it as another part of our amazing life experience!
Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying, healthy diet.
HEALTH, FITNESS and NUTRITION
Sample topics include exploring healthy eating habits and how to determine healthy foods, understanding the importance of exercise (including dancing!), exploring what habits help create a “healthy lifestyle,” discussing body image and/or valuing your self, being drug free and studying how the body operates in relation to dance and/or movement. We discuss how dancing and other methods of exercise and nutrition help our bodies to function in a more effective manner.
Many of these concepts can be tied into other academic studies such as math, science and language arts.
We encourage our instructors and teacher sponsors to connect when appropriate in developing ‘homework” that can be integrated in these lessons to support what is happening in the dance periods. Please contact us if you have questions about this.
Objective: to teach the model shown below as well as other known healthy concepts of Exercise and Nutrition:
| Balancing Calories | ||
| ● | Enjoy your food, but eat less. | |
| ● | Avoid oversized portions. | |
| Foods to Increase | ||
| ● | Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. | |
| ● | Make at least half your grains whole grains. | |
| ● | Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk. However, research is showing that that full fat dairy doesn't have the ill effects on the heart as previously believed. | |
| Foods to Reduce | ||
| ● | Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers. | |
| ● | Drink water instead of sugary drinks. (Including sugary sports and fruit drinks) | |
Desired Outcome: Students will gain knowledge of healthy nutrition and exercise habits.
Learning Event: by Sharing Stars instructor
Materials needed: table to show visual aids
